Starting Chemo in July 2009

PauldingMom am glad you and your mom liked the favorite team scarf.  My onc Dr. and I have the same NFL team and so of course I am going to wear my scarf to my next appointment.  Go STEELERS !!!!  I also believe the angels are watching after all of us. That is why we are still here.  I went to my first support meeting tonight and won a gift certificate to Red Lobster.  I was so surprised as I never win anything .  Wish the best of week for all.  GB

KARENVW....My naturopath advises to take B6 supplement along with a B complex for neuropathy.  I've heard that from other sources as well.  You might give it a try.  What I don't know is if you need to start it before the neuropathy sets in, but seems like it couldn't hurt.  Patti

During my first chemo, a nurse went over a lot of materials with me, suggested I start taking B6 to avoid neuropathy.  I didn't get a good note on the amount to take, though.  Anyone know?

I started chemo 7/28, had my second tx today, but I joined the August chemo group.  I do come here to read how everyone is doing. 

BC.org rocks!

A beautiful story Diane.....

gillyone - I was taking the prilosec as needed, but my chemo nurse said that she thought I should take it everyday.  Also, I'm not sure who posted the suggestion to get dr. to write a prescription for it, but I did and only had to pay $10 for it.  And, the instructions on the bottle do say take daily.

LindaSue - hope things went well for you today with 3^rd AC.  I had 3^rd tx last Thursday - it's taking a little longer to get over this one.

Diane - how beautiful - we all need signs that things are going to get better!

 Has anyone else been bothered by leg cramps at night?

 Pam

Hi ladies,

Hope you are all doing well and smiling as much as possible. I am thinking of you each and every day.

My mom had her genetic testing and tomorrow she has an appointment to speak with the counselor- we are not sure if she will get her results then or not, but based on the risk factors she discussed with the genetic counselor, she has a feeling she will be BRCA + which really scares her. She cried A LOT more than usual today and is incredibly anxious to hear the results. We're obviously hoping for a negative result but she is sort of prepared for a positive one.

 If she is positive, she will have a propylactic double mastectomy and have her ovaries removed. She asked me to look into reconstruction options and find out as much as I can about the recovery from the surgery/what to expect, etc... I am looking on other threads for this but I was wondering if any of you who may have had a double mastectomy w/ reconstruction would mind sharing what it was like so I can pass the info on to my mom (only if it's not too much trouble, of course-- you can send me a private message!)

Loved the picture, Pauldingmom and Sallymae!!

Eph- love the laser tattoo removal comment- completely agree !

Hello Triple J's,

Congrats to those that just got chemo #3.  I got my last AC on Monday and have felt good or great since Monday.  Only negative was SE from steroids.  Although my doc cut the dose in half and I took two benadryl, I only sleep 7 hrs tops - I really like 8 to 9 hrs and so does my body and mind.

I'm  also having the Braca test, but regardless of the outcome, I plan to remove my one good right breast and ovaries in November and then will try to go for the diep flap or other reconstruction early 2010.  My thought is my life is worth more than my breasts. I would also like my new breasts to look symmetrical if possible.

Dianne - your post was really moving!

I start Taxol on Aug 31, but if neuropathy becomes an issue my doc my switch me to Taxotere.  I was also give L Glutamine powder in advance to help prevent bone pain and neuropathy which is expected during Taxol.  I'll take vitamin B6 too. I really need my brain and fingers to continue working.  Working keeps my mind off my worries, illness, and is a great form of therapy to me.

 My mom who is a 12 yr. BC survivor said her nails turned black during Taxol, but didn't hurt or fall off.  Her nails became was normal after Taxol was over.

Dawn who finished AC and then Taxol on July 20th said she lost her eyelashes and eyebrows at about the 2nd Taxol, but hair on head started growing.  She was from the May forum and is doing great now that she is more than 3 wks past her last dose of chemo.

I hope everyone feels as good as they can and I hope everyone has minimal SEs.

Hugs and prayers to all of you strong, beautiful, positive, supportive, women!

Connie

(((HUGS))) Lisa, you've had the best attitude all along, don't let it get away from you!  Keep going girl!  We CAN do it!

Well....had my 3rd AC yesterday and they added the Emend which really seemed to help.  Had headache and some nausea last night, but the Zophran seemed to help get that under control.  BTW...I did try smoking some pot last night but do not think that it helped (for what it's worth!).  Don't think I'll be doing that again!  (my oncologist gave me the ok to do it)

Yesterday, my husband got the news that his group is going to be outsourced to Guatamala.  So I spent all am yesterday crying, and went to my AC with a cry headache already!  I didn't even cry when I got my cancer diagnosis, so I don;t know where that came from.  But if you could pray for the job situation, I know it will help!

Sending prayers for no SE...and I remember each of you in my prayers each evening!

Linda

Gilly - tx #1 I had 4 days constipation with using colace every evening then finally added activia, cherry's, papaya's...my onc said next time try Mirlax if no BM within a few days.  I have those funny plastic refillable ketchup bottles filled with water on the back of my toilet to rinse with, baby wipes with aloe and destine ointment for the poor bottom.  I have only had to use those goodies a few times. 

TMI... Today is the day after #2 and was getting ready for work when thought...hummm I feel gassy...started heading for the bathroom and ended up shatting in my pants...think I might have to call in today...I have a 1/2 hour commute and that would be horrible to happen at work or in route.

Oh well...it is what it is!  

I hope everyone has a SE and productive (or relaxing) day!

Connie - I'm disappointed to hear of loosing eyelashes and brows during Taxol.  I was told that "head hair" would start to grow back, so naturally assumed that I would not loose any more hair anywhere.  I will probably start Taxol in October - every week for 12 weeks.  I have my last AC on Sept. 3 and will have a 3-week break before starting Taxol.  I was told Taxol is a piece of cake after AC.  I take B6 everyday normally so hopefully that will help.  I'm happy that you felt great after #4.  Number 3 has been harder on me.

LindaSue - you and your family are in my prayers.  Dr. added the Emmend in IV form to my 2^nd treatment and it really helped.  She gave me that + an Emmend pill for the next 2 nights after treatment #3.

Gillyone - I try to remember take a Sennacot each night or in the morning for about a week after treatment - helps a lot.  Was also told today that I could add some Mirilax if I needed it.  Nurse said that it has no taste so you can mix it with anything.

 Take care everyone!

Pam

Sheila, thanks - hopefully the same will happen for me.  I kept the bangs long on my "new hair" just in case I lost the brows.  But, I've always had long eye lashes - so really hate to loose them. 

Hello Triple J's,

Hope everyone has a good or wonderful day with minimal SEs.

LindaSue - I'm so sorry your family has to deal with a job loss on top of all that you're already dealing with.  I know it's hard, but try to be positive and hopeful because studies show that it helps with our illness.  I hope and pray better news comes your way and I think companies shouldl stop shipping jobs overseas.

For those that may be like me ER+ and PR+, I saw some interesting news from DIA Daily that states, "Research indicates letrozole may prolong disease-free survival in breast cancer patients better than tamoxifen."

I plan to ask my doctor since I will take tamoxifen, arimidex or some medication daily for the next 5 years.

Just wanted to share this information....I try to keep on top of any and all new news regarding BC.

It'd day 5 after my last dose of AC on Monday and I still feel really good and trying to drink tons of fluids to flush those toxins from my system.

Hugs to all!

Connie

Connie.. I am on Femara  (LETRAZOLE ) since March 2006. What my understanding is that its been prescribed for Post Menopausal women, I just double-checked the Femara site thats what it says. From your picture you look like a young woman. One more thing I didn't experienced any side effects except some hot flushes at the beginning. I will be on for 5 years also unless my Dr says otherwise.

Good Luck to you.

 Sheila

I just lost a long post. GRRRRRR!

Michelle, thanks for constipation info.

I now have a wig question. Isn't it great we can answers to so many questions here? Is it ok to use regular hairspray on wigs, or do I have to get special stuff?

I am day3 out from tx3 of DD AC and doing fine except for not sleeping long enough at night. I expect that to improve when I'm done with the steroids tomorrow.

I am helping youngest son move back into the dorm today. Both our boys are attending our home town university which makes this pretty easy. Our older son is in an apartment so nothing I need to do there. I'm going to ask younger son if he wants me to wear a wig while helping. I don't want him to be embarrassed. But all my menfolk are fine with me going commando aoruund the house. It is too hot!!

Hope everyone is having a good day.